On our Minds – Kraftygang

I got the idea from Brian’s sister Sarah about choosing a “word” for the year. Got to thinking a bit about that. I think a word for life could be INTENTIONAL. I feel like the is a good word for our family. Being intentional about everything we do. What I spend time doing, thinking on, praying on, doing with the kids, time with Brian or whatever…… BE INTENTIONAL. Caused me to think on things that I may not be doing very good at too!

This life is so short. Really is. I should be intentional EVERY SINGLE DAY. EVERY SINGLE MINUTE! I need to not waste my life away, but really think through all that I’m doing or perhaps not doing.

Our family is growing. Growing fast!

Gregory soon will be able to get her permit!! Crazy, I know!

He’ll be 15 1/2 on the 22nd of this month!

Annie Mae will turn ONE in a month! Planning her first Tea Party now. I know… she’s only ONE but this is our FIRST GIRL and we are excited to do a little tea party!

Gideon starting to talk more…. more words coming out. Still NOT potty trained, and that is tough on all of us.

Titus still in crib. He’s a small little fella. He’s not potty trained either. He wears the same diapers as Annie Mae!

Simply Spring Photography was busy before the holidays. Calmed down now some but hoping for some Senior Photoshoots and family ones this year. Its a blessing to have the extra $ for vacation/birthday/christmas. Also, nice to not have to work out of the home for hours at a time, and get to enjoy doing something fun while making a bit extra.

I’m trying to get more INTENTIONAL about having a time daily for my quiet times. I’m trying and its a tough season to get to do it at the same time daily. Encouraging our older boys to be in the Word daily too. WE try to do family devotions a couple times a week.

Basketball is in full swing this month and will be over beginning of Feb. Brian has been enjoying being a coach and what an example he is to those boys! He’s being INTENTIONAL about being a good witness and father. Love this man. We try to be INTENTIONAL with a routine nightly of books, & prayer before bed. Love when I capture the tenderness of Brian reading to the boys (and baby girl, who is interested like they are).

Being INTENTIONAL is also is looking at each of our kids and their needs and how we as parents can better help raise them up to be independent lovers of God. We will be trying something new for Adam beginning of Feb. if he gets approved. He will be schooling from home using the K-12 program. Its a online Public Schoo. Its been too stressful to keep up with his studies and keep him in line at school. He’s got a great heart but the focus issues (mostly) are tough and he’s scattered. He’s on medication and I do believe this helps a lot. However, we are “on him” a lot and figured maybe in a less distracting environment it will help. I’m nervous. I must admit. However, we can’t know unless WE TRY if this is going to be something to help him or not. We have heard MANY MANY positive things for kids like Adam using the K12. I hope and pray that he can be MOTIVATED and hopefully able to get to work on some of the things he loves (wood working and guitar) more often than he gets to now. I’ve never been a pro homeschool person. Always want my kids being the LIGHT and example in the school. I’ve learned though, since God blessed us with Adam… that not all kids are the same and some need extra help and attention. I’m praying that God can use me and help me through this. If it doesn’t work the next few months, then he will be back at FCA next year most likely.

Brian and I are going to be more INTENTIONAL about planning special dates this year. We always take date nights but want to try to surprise each other with something every other month. I’ll take a month and he takes a month, kinda deal. I’m excited.

One thing we are super excited about is Disneyland trips! Our first one will be as a family in Feb. Then we are hoping to do “one on one” dates through the year. With 6 kids we have to be INTENTIONAL about getting one on one time with the kids. We are hoping this will be a fun way this year to do that.

Hoping we can continue our “cutting back” season and be home more with the family. Continue to not agree to do everything (even good things) so that we can have that time at home and the INTENTIONAL time to teach, train, play and enjoy each other.

Hoping to continue my “cleaning out” of things. I have a lot and I need to get rid of more. Be more intentional about what we keep and why we keep it. I have a lot to do still but hard to finish when I’m not alone and have more things in life that are more important too!

Thankful I’m still nursing. Causes me to pause during the day and just think, pray or enjoy my baby girl.

Bible studies will be starting up soon for Both Brian and I. Looking forward to the fellowship and learning.